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Crime Reporter
Harare North District has recorded 5 726 violent crimes this year alone, 8,5 percent above the 5 274 reported during the same period last year.
Addressing residents in his district, Officer Commanding Harare North District Chief Superintendent Resistance Ncube said police would continue conducting crime awareness campaigns. Patrols will also be increased to curb criminal activities.
“The fight against crime aims to prevent the impact on social values. The rise in criminal activities has been a matter of grave concern among our communities. “Gone are the good old days when we could roam the streets freely and safely without fear of being robbed, assaulted, kidnapped, raped or even murdered.
“My heart bleeds when I present the facts on violent crimes. During the period January 2022 to November 2022 the district received reports of a total of 5 726 violent crimes compared to 5 274 received during the same period the previous year, which is an increase of 452 cases translating to 8,5 percent.”
Chief Sup Ncube said it was disheartening to note that some of the violent crimes involved girls, some as young as nine years old.
“Imagine a father raping his own daughter for ritual purposes; I wonder. I urge you all to respect our norms and values,” he said.
Violent crimes included domestic violence, robbery, unlawful entry, assaults, rape and murder. He saw many stemming from drug abuse.
“As such, I call upon every citizen to act and act now in the fight against these violent crimes and drug abuse. I am sure we all agree that an increase in awareness and knowledge of the potential health, social and legal consequences of illicit drug use will be a critical ingredient in attainment of goals being pursued by the Second Republic under National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
“Surely a crime-free Zimbabwe will easily attain an upper middle income by year 2030. Let me take this opportunity to give a stern warning to all those involved in violent crimes that the long arm of the law will catch up with you.
“As police we will not rest until we account for all those involved in violent crimes and bring normalcy in our communities. Other than facing severe punishment, violent crimes are accompanied by devastating social impact upon community life,” said Chief Supt Ncube.
Police have since tried their best to increase police visibility on the streets in an effort to prevent the surge in crime.
Non-uniformed personnel have been assigned crime prevention duties while mobile police vehicles and cycles have been deployed in crime prone areas.
Added Chief Supt Ncube: “Law enforcement alone is not enough. Law enforcers can only patrol areas periodically. They cannot possibly be everywhere all the time. It is the members of the public who can provide the police with relevant information, report the dangers that lurk in their neighbourhoods, or report suspicious characters. We have to be the eyes and ears of the police if we wish to eradicate crime.”
More crime prevention campaigns will be organised to reinforce public awareness on the need for the people to work with police to fight crime.
Online Reporter